My Newest Job Update -- IT TRAINER

MCPWannabe

Wow, what an adventure this year has been for me. I've morphed from call center representative to now having my own business as an IT trainer. I've posted updates of various offers from time to time on this forum.

Anyway, to update everyone. I was originally going to take a job as a government contractor when the Federal government overruled my government contracting company on my position because I didn't have an IT degree. I was, suddenly, without a job and needing a new one. I posted my resume on dice and Monster, and within 4 days, I had 3 interviews.

I ended up having a Microsoft Gold Certified Learning Partner tell me that they wanted to hire me, but they didn't have the money to do it. However, they offered to bring me on as a contractor, and told me that they would sponsor me for the Microsoft Certified Trainer because they were impressed with my certifications.

I decided to take the job, and I'm so glad that I did. Within a short while, I've been introduced to the trainer industry. First, you get some pretty sweet benefits as a trainer -- all e-learning courses are free, Microsoft Official Curriculum is free, and virtual Labs are free.

Second, the life of a trainer is one of high independence. Most trainers charge a daily rate and as long as you keep your certifications current, you are inundated with work.

Right now, I charge $500 a day for work, which some people are telling me is too low, but I don't mind. I make more than I've ever made in my life and I only work 3 weeks out of the month.

You get a chance to do a lot of travelling. I recently contacted a company about going to Europe in a couple of months, and I'm trying to work out a deal with them.

Training itself is fairly rigorous for a Microsoft Certified Trainer. You are rated on a metric of 1-9. As a trainer, you have to average an 8/9 by the people that you train or risk not being retained by the contracting company.

Furthermore, Microsoft Certified Trainers are expensive. People have to pay a lot of money for the trainers, and they expect the best. Companies often send their best and brightest to get trained. I trained Vista just recently. I had a room full of 8 guys ask me everything under the sun on that operating system. I spent 3 or 4 days getting 4 hours of sleep because I was up late at night researching their questions, but I loved it.

Anyway, I thought that I would introduce this career to anyone considering it. It's a nice way to make a living, and the field is booming right now.

Let me know if there are any questions that I can answer about it. [/i]

dynamik

I'm glad things are working out for you. Thanks for sharing

Just out of curiosity, what's your real-world experience with the products? I'd like to get into training myself, but I don't feel like I have the necessary experience to back up my teachings.

MCPWannabe

I forgot to mention two other updates:

Next year, after I finish my second Bachelor's degree, I will be working on my first Microsoft Publication through Microsoft Sessions. I'm really excited about this -- especially as someone who really came from nothing in the IT world.

Publications increase your consulting prowess and Microsoft is big on helping Trainers get published.

If anyone wants some tips on how to get into the certified training business, let me know.. Everyone knows that I've been there as far as seeing the bad.

Also, as a trainer, you get discounts on all Microsoft exams for at least 45%, which is very nice. To tell you the truth, I haven't had to pay for an exam in a long time. Most of the time, training companies will ask you to take them and offer to pay them if you agree to each for them.

If you like traveling, it is also a good field. I'm taking my wife on some trips with me. Recently, I emailed a company in Europe about the possibility of having them pay my flight to Europe to train military soldiers. We are still in negotiation, but I'm just thrilled to have that kind of option.

stlsmoore

Wow very cool this would def. be something I would be interested in doing.

the_Grinch

I'd love to get into it, but agree with Dynamik...what kind of experience did you have other then certs?

blargoe

I'm interested. I could see myself doing this in a few years.

jamesp1983

wow, that's impressive! congrats! I'll be starting in January as a traveling trainer at a well respected training center and im pretty nervous.

Kaminsky

IT Training for certs is good money. I couldn't do it myself as I am firmly resident in the "Look, I told you once ... What's the problem ?" camp.

jamesp1983

Kaminsky wrote:

IT Training for certs is good money. I couldn't do it myself as I am firmly resident in the "Look, I told you once ... What's the problem ?" camp.

haha

undomiel

Kaminsky wrote:

IT Training for certs is good money. I couldn't do it myself as I am firmly resident in the "Look, I told you once ... What's the problem ?" camp.

Want to come say that to the guys I'm working with? They're getting in need of a good thwapping!

MCPWannabe

dynamik wrote:

I'm glad things are working out for you. Thanks for sharing

Just out of curiosity, what's your real-world experience with the products? I'd like to get into training myself, but I don't feel like I have the necessary experience to back up my teachings.

Really good questions and that was my number one concern. But after talking to a more experienced trainer, he gave me an explanation that made sense.

He told me that as a certified trainer, your primary goal is to teach the curriculum as outlined by the vendor. It won't be unusual for you to be teaching people who are far more experienced than yourself. Now, for you as a trainer, you are primary there because you've exhibited an abillity to quickly comprehend the material and you should have the abillity to help others understand the material.

That explanation passed with me. I taught Windows Vista recently. Today, a student of mine called me to tell me that he passed his first Microsoft Certification test and he has been in the industry for 24 years. He had far more experience than me, and he made a lot more money than I do (he's an IT director). He has seen things that I've only heard of in the industry. But I was able to help him, and I can't help but feel good from the experience.

I do admit that I have been presented with some tough questions, but I've enjoyed it and I like the challenge.

So, my opinion, which could be contested (as I can see the other side of hesitance without experience) is that if a person feels a desire to do it than they should go for it.

dynamik

Nice response, thanks. Maybe I'll look into this in a few years.

mattrgee

This is a really good post.

I wonder whether the demand for IT training is one of the up sides of the recession? i.e. Companies are looking to invest in their current staff rather than hire new to fill a skills shortage?

Matt

networker050184

mattrgee wrote:

This is a really good post.

I wonder whether the demand for IT training is one of the up sides of the recession? i.e. Companies are looking to invest in their current staff rather than hire new to fill a skills shortage?

Matt

I think the demand for more qualified workers will increase as the jobs decrease. Companies will be more picky in who they hire. This means you need all the qualifications as possible to get or retain a job in the tough times. For trainers this means more students trying to get certified and also like you stated companies investing in the employees they already have.


Congrats to the OP. Training is something I have always enjoyed and would love to move in that direction eventually as well.